West Brom 1, Arsenal 3: Chris Lepkowski's big match verdict

Mar 4 2009 by Christopher Lepkowski, Birmingham Mail

IF I was a betting man I’d put good money on Tony Mowbray giving Match of the Day a miss tonight.

Never mind listening to the so-called ‘sofa critics’, one wouldn’t be surprised if the Baggies boss dives behind the settee every time he sees footage of his team’s defending.

He wouldn’t be the only one.

It doesn’t seem to matter which of Albion’s defenders is posted to their position – as individuals they seem incapable of executing the most basic of rear-guard duties.

It’s become an instinctive duty of Albion’s back men to treat the football like some kind of branded version of a hot root vegetable.

Mowbray can mix and match all he likes – it doesn’t seem to make any difference. The end product is invariably the same.

Woeful defending, sloppy goals, inquests and recriminations afterwards.

This is supposedly a group of talented individuals who have lost the ability to carry out the most simple of defensive tasks.

It’s not as if they are being asked to perform step-overs, pick out team-mates 40 yards away or dribble the ball past three opponents – the requirement is to clear the ball. Be it by the use of a foot or by head.

Dare I say Row Z would suffice.

Yet, one by one, Albion’s last line of defence have become utterly ineffective.

Goal one, scored by Nicklas Bendtner. A corner comes in. Chris Brunt half-clears it. Ryan Donk sees Bendtner collect the ball. Donk then watches same player curl the ball past Carson. No challenge made. No hint of a tackle by Donk. Albion equalise. Luke Moore is brought down by Kolo Toure, Brunt, some 20-yards from goal, drives his free-kick through the wall and past Manuel Almunia.

Only eight minutes gone.